Article transfer unit

Abstract

A unit for transferring an article from one work station to another has a rotary table with an arm mounted on the table for reciprocation in a radial direction, the arm carrying an article holder at its outer end and being reciprocable by means of a cam follower coupled to the arm and engaging a stationary cam track. The arm has a radial pin engaging in a helical slot in a bearing sleeve whereby reciprocation of the arm also rotates the arm to invert the article holder.

I claim: 
     
       1. A unit for transferring an article from one work station to another comprising an article holder, an arm on which the article holder is mounted, a carriage supporting said arm for reciprocating movement relative to the carriage, means for moving the carriage to carry the arm along a path between said work stations, and camming means for effecting reciprocatory movement of said arm during its travel along said path, the camming means comprising a cam track and a cam follower coupled to the arm and cooperating with the cam track upon movement of the carriage, said unit further having rotary drive means coupling said cam follower to said arm whereby said arm is rotated as it is reciprocated, the said rotary drive means comprising a bearing sleeve fixed to the carriage, said arm being slidably and rotatably received in the bearing sleeve, said bearing sleeve having a slot including a helical portion, and a pin fixed to the arm and extending through the slot, the pin being coupled to the cam follower for movement of the pin along the sleeve. 
     
     
       2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 having a block mounted for axial sliding along the bearing sleeve, said block carrying the cam follower and bearing at one end against the pin fixed to the arm. 
     
     
       3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the reciprocating movements of the arm are in a direction at right angles to the said path of travel. 
     
     
       4. A unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the carriage is a rotatable table and the arm is mounted for reciprocation in a direction radial to the table. 
     
     
       5. A unit as claimed in claim 4 in which the cam track is an endless groove in a stationary member.